By Amin Kef Sesay
To complement Government’s efforts in beefing up the health sector, representatives of Rev. Sung Kim of Paul Grace Mission and Mr. Yoo Jae Lying of Mirae Ansan Cooperation in South Korea have formally handed over a donation of a 40 ft Container of general pharmaceutical, medical supplies and medical devices, worth over 1.5 million dollars, to the Republic Sierra Leone through the Office of the First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio.
Presenting the items on Friday 25 September 2020 at the Presidential Lodge on Hill station, Mr. Kim said health is a huge problem in Sierra Leone, which requires every support possible furthering how they are being hands-on in solving the problem.
He said the donation is for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone, and clarified that the donation is not from the Korean Government but from their Mission in a bid to help the health sector in the country.
Receiving the items on behalf of the President, he First Lady Fatima Maada Bio said she was extremely pleased that the Mission considered her office fit to make the distribution. She expressed excitement, stating that there are many hospitals that are going to benefit from the items and assured that the items will get to the intended beneficiaries.
The First Lady further disclosed how she has consulted the medical board for them to verify all the items after which they will decide on the distribution process, but stated that the 34 Military Hospital and the Kono district Government Hospital are two hospitals that she is 100% confident will receive from the donation.
She thanked the guests and registered her gratefulness to the group for such a support to the health care sector and for which a letter of appreciation on behalf of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone was presented.
Yusuf Marah from the Directorate of Medical Services said most of the drugs donated are important in the COVID 19 fight, as there are cold medication, Asthmatic Medication, medication for Hypertensive patients, Psychotic medications, and many different classes of drugs, He disclosed that they have assessed all the various classes of drugs to see if they are fit for use, and confirmed that the drugs have been certified and are fit for use.
